As a woman, knowing your worth and setting firm boundaries is crucial for maintaining your self-respect and ensuring others treat you with the respect you deserve.

Research shows that strong mental boundaries are closely linked to higher self-esteem and better social support networks (Mental Boundaries: Relationship with Self-Esteem and Social Support, 2023).

The way you allow others to treat you is often a direct reflection of how much you value yourself.

Permitting certain behaviors can gradually erode your sense of self-worth. However, women who understand their value and establish clear boundaries are better equipped to protect their emotional and mental well-being, ensuring they are treated with the dignity they deserve.

These women do not tolerate behaviors that compromise their integrity. And while these behaviors are, unfortunately, quite common, they are clear about what they will and won’t accept.

In this article, I’ll be sharing 7 behaviors that women with high self-worth never put up with. Let’s dive in and explore these key behaviors.

1) Disrespectful behavior

We’ve all come across people who lack the basic decency to show respect to others. It’s unpleasant, to say the least.

For women with strong boundaries and high self-worth, this is a big no-no.

They understand that respect is a fundamental aspect of any relationship. Without it, there’s no basis for meaningful interaction.

The thing is, disrespectful behavior can take many forms. It could be in the form of patronizing remarks, dismissive attitudes, or even outright insults.

Women with firm boundaries and high self-worth recognize these behaviors for what they are – unacceptable. They don’t tolerate disrespect in any form.

And guess what? They shouldn’t have to. No one should.

It’s about knowing your worth and demanding the respect you deserve. After all, we teach people how to treat us by what we allow, stop, and reinforce.

2) Invalidation of feelings

A lesson I’ve learned over the years is the importance of emotions. They’re a crucial part of who we are, and they deserve to be acknowledged and validated.

Years ago, I found myself in a friendship where my feelings were constantly dismissed. Whenever I’d express my feelings of hurt or frustration, the response was always along the lines of “You’re just being overly sensitive,” or “You’re overreacting.”

I remember feeling unheard and invalidated. It was as if my emotions were an inconvenience to them.

But as I grew in self-worth and established stronger boundaries, I learned that my feelings matter. They’re valid and they need to be respected.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth don’t put up with having their feelings invalidated. They recognize this behavior as a sign of emotional immaturity or manipulation.

They know that everyone has a right to their feelings, and they expect others to respect that right.

3) Unwanted advances

It’s an unfortunate reality that many women have to deal with unwanted advances.

According to research highlighted by Cornell University’s ILR School, a significant percentage of women experience sexual harassment in the workplace, underscoring the pervasive nature of this issue across various industries.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth are well aware of this issue. They’re not afraid to assert themselves when faced with unwanted advances, whether they are verbal, physical or otherwise.

They know their worth and they respect their own boundaries enough to shut down any behavior that crosses the line.

They don’t hesitate to take necessary action, whether that’s confronting the person directly, reporting the issue to higher authorities or seeking legal action.

4) Being taken for granted

Everyone wants to feel valued and appreciated in their relationships, whether they’re personal or professional.

However, sometimes people take others for granted. They overlook the efforts that someone is making or disregard their contributions.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth don’t put up with being taken for granted. They acknowledge their own worth and expect others to do the same.

If they notice that their efforts are consistently overlooked, or if they feel underappreciated, they don’t hesitate to address the issue.

They know their value and they’re not afraid to stand up for themselves when they feel they’re being taken for granted.

5) Emotional manipulation

I remember being in a relationship where I often found myself feeling guilty for things I shouldn’t have. Simple things like spending time on my hobbies or going out with friends would turn into an emotional rollercoaster.

Looking back, I realize that it was emotional manipulation at play. My partner was using guilt to control my actions and decisions.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth, like I am today, don’t tolerate emotional manipulation. They understand that it’s unhealthy and damaging.

They recognize the signs, whether it’s guilt-tripping, gaslighting, or playing the victim. And they stand up against it.

After all, a healthy relationship is built on mutual respect and understanding, not manipulation.

6) Narcissistic behavior

In today’s world, it’s not uncommon to encounter individuals who seem to only care about themselves. These individuals, often with narcissistic tendencies, tend to lack empathy and have an inflated sense of their own importance.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth don’t tolerate narcissistic behavior. They recognize that it’s damaging and destructive.

They understand that healthy relationships are built on mutual respect, empathy, and understanding. They know that people who display narcissistic behaviors are incapable of providing these things.

Instead of getting caught up in the toxic cycle, these women distance themselves from such individuals. They choose their emotional well-being over the need to appease a narcissist’s ego.

7) Constant criticism

We all need constructive criticism from time to time. It helps us grow and improve. But there’s a big difference between constructive criticism and constant, unwarranted criticism.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth don’t put up with the latter. They recognize it as a form of emotional abuse.

They understand that their worth is not defined by someone else’s opinion or judgment. They know that constant criticism is not about them, but about the person giving it.

They refuse to let anyone undermine their self-esteem with relentless negativity. Their worth is non-negotiable, and they won’t allow anyone to erode it with incessant criticism.

Final thoughts: It’s about self-love

As we delve deeper into the concept of self-worth and strong boundaries, it becomes clear that it all boils down to one fundamental principle: self-love.

Self-love isn’t just a trendy buzzword. It’s a crucial element of mental health and well-being.

According to Dr. Kristin Neff, a pioneer in the field of self-compassion research, self-love involves treating ourselves with kindness, recognizing our shared humanity, and practicing mindfulness.

These three components—self-kindness, common humanity, and mindfulness—are essential for fostering emotional resilience and well-being.

Women with strong boundaries and high self-worth embody this principle. They love and respect themselves enough to refuse to tolerate behaviors that disrespect or devalue them.

This journey of recognizing one’s worth and setting strong boundaries isn’t always easy. It requires introspection, courage, and resilience. But the reward is a life of respect, dignity, and self-fulfillment.